Folding table



(No Model.)

H. BENEDICT.

FOLDING TABLE.

No. 285,101. Patented Sept. 18, 1888.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HIBAM BENEDICT, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN.

FOLD ING TABLE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 285,101, dated September 18, 1883.

Application filed November 8, 1882. (No model.)

'70 ctZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HIRAM BENEDICT, of

Detroit, in the county of Wayne and State of Michigan, have invented new and useful Im- I part of this specification.

The nature of this invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in the construction of tables, by means of which any desired height or inclination of the top may be obtained, and which may be readily folded together for transportation.

The invention consists in the peculiar construction of various parts and their combinations, by means of which the results described can be obtained.

Figure 1 is an end view of my table set up and ready for use with the top level, and in dotted lines shown as tilted. Fig. 2 is a vertical longitudinal central section, one-half in elevation.

In the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification, A represents the tabletop, and B the cleats, one of which is secured to the under side of the table-top near each end thereof. To the outside of each of these cleats there is pivotally secured a segmental ratchet,- C, so arranged that the center of the segment is in the center of the width of the table-top. Centrally upon the outer sides of these cleats there is secured aplate, D, provided with the outwardly-projecting lug a, and a stop or latch, b, adapted to have a partial crank rotation.

N are the feet and legs, hinged one at each end of the foot-bar E, so that when desired the feet can be folded inwardly along the bottom edge of the foot-bar. I p

F are braces, which are pivoted one to each of the legs, and when in position their opposite ends engage with a notch, c, in the boltplate G, and each of these plates is provided with a spring-bolt, H, of the ordinary construction, adapted to latch or look that end of the brace in position. To the outer side of each leg is secured a flanged guide, I, within which the slide J has a vertical movement, such movement being controlled by the thumbscrew or cam K, which passes through the slot din the slide. One side of this slide is provided with notches c, and a spring-pawl, L, secured to the side of the flange guide and with its engaging end passing through anotch in the flange, engages with the notches in the side of the slide, to hold it against accidental displacement should the thumb-screw or cam from any cause not be locked. Holes through the upper ends of the slides allow the latter to be engaged with the lugs a on the plate D, and the latch b, being turned into position, locks those parts together, Now, to control the position of the table-top, the segmental ratchet is turned down against the face of the slide at each end of the table, and the stop h, with which each ofYthe slides is provided, can be engaged with any desired notch in the ratchet, and, being locked in position by the thumbscrew M, the table-top may be retained in a level 'or in any tilted position desired.

It will be readily seen that by this construc- .tion the height of the table-top may be regulated by the slides and its position by the segmental ratchets, and a reversion of the motions and connections already described will allow the legs and top to be folded into a small space to facilitate transportation or handling.

I am aware of Patent No. 246,554, and make no claim to the construction shown thereby.

What I claim as my invention is- In a folding table having oscillating adjustable top and folding base, the slide J, having slot (1 and notches c, with their abrupt sides downward,-combined with the flanged notched plates I, the cam K, and with the spring-pawl L, operating through the notch in the plate I, whereby the said spring-pawl L serves as an auxiliary securing device in case the cam should allow the disengagement of the parts, as specified.

IIIRAM BENEDICT.

, WVitnessesi H. S. SPRAGUE, A. BARTHEL. 

